Authored in conjunction with Jennifer Tompkins of SignScapes, Inc. www.RichmondSignScapes.com

1. - Expand Your Horizons -
Custom Wall Coverings
12-Point SignWorks
www.12pointsignworks.com

2. Contents
What are custom wall coverings and décor printing? .................................................................... 3
Why should I use a custom wall covering? ..................................................................................... 4
Are these treatments permanent? ................................................................................................. 5
Where do I get custom wall coverings? .......................................................................................... 6
What types of textures are available in these printable wall coverings?....................................... 6
Is a custom wall covering more expensive than what I can get in the store?................................ 3
Will they work on non-traditional surfaces? .................................................................................. 7
12-Point SignWorks
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3. What are custom wall coverings and décor printing?
Custom wall coverings include a variety of digitally printable products that allow you to
design and create full coverage or partial coverage images and/or textures for your
commercial or residential interior. Why choose from a book of wallpapers designed by
someone else? You don’t have to settle for “something close” when you can create a
perfect match to your favorite fabric, color, object d’arte, image or other inspiration.
“Décor printing” takes advantage of the capabilities of large format printers to create
full color graphics that can be used to customize interior walls.
Is a custom wall covering more expensive than what I can get in the
store?
Not necessarily. There is a wide range of pricing in the pre-printed wall covering market.
The custom market is similar in that certain backer materials are more costly than
others (traditional matte vs. suede, for instance), and the amount of design work
needed can play a significant factor in the total cost of the project. To reproduce a
sample pattern, change its scale or adjust color can be done quite affordably and may
cost less than some high-end designer papers.
12-Point SignWorks
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4. Why should I use a custom wall covering?
Custom wallpapers, wall murals, wall graphics and decals allow you to put your personal
and/or brand stamp on an environment:
• Reinforce your brand with an over-scaled logo decal or repetitive (“stop and
repeat”) wallpaper print;
• Refresh your retail store, restaurant, office interior, hotel guest rooms, etc.;
• Bring in the outdoors with a nature-inspired mural;
• Showcase your products with room-sized prints in your office;
• Add a sense of whimsy to a child’s room with favorite fictional characters;
• Create an alternate universe with an original vision of the future;
• Surround yourself with the feel of ancient frescos or scenes from your favorite
vacation.
A custom wall treatment can transform an ordinary wall into something truly unique.
12-Point SignWorks
www.12pointsignworks.com

5. Are these treatments permanent?
Custom wall coverings leverage a variety of print materials including traditional
wallpaper adhesive, semi-permanent and repositionable styles. Depending upon your
application, we’ll help you select a material type that is right for your project.
• Traditional wallpapers can be pre-pasted or unpasted and are meant for
permanent (long term) installations.
• Semi-permanent/temporary materials are generally used for short-term
installations – for a special exhibit, display or event – where the space will be
changed frequently.
• Repositionable fabric material is a bit of a hybrid. The material is meant to stay in
place for as long as needed but the adhesive does not cure and therefore the
material can be removed easily and reapplied in another location. Typical
applications are for leased spaces or when decals/designs may be moved
periodically for seasonal updates, furniture placement, etc.
• Many digitally printable wall coverings are certified commercial grade materials
as Type II, Class “A” for fire rating requirements.
12-Point SignWorks
www.12pointsignworks.com

6. Where do I get custom wall coverings?
A large format printer and graphic design software are required to produce a custom
wall covering. Not all “sign shops” are experienced or equipped to provide you with the
artistic and technical support required to deliver an exceptional product. A qualified
custom large format printer will be able to reproduce papers from a leftover piece or
from a series of photos or can create an original design. Manufacturers with these
capabilities frequently work in cooperation with an interior design professional or
decorator to help you achieve just the right look for your space.
What types of textures are available in these printable wall coverings?
Digitally printable wall coverings range in texture from smooth (matte or gloss) to
heavily textured surfaces simulating faux troweled mortar. Textures also include sand,
parchment, suede, and various canvas types. Depending upon the type of material
used, seams between adjoining panels will either be overlapped to account for
shrinkage or will be double-cut butt joints that very effectively hide the seams within
the printed pattern.
Fresco
Pebble
Suede
Velvet
12-Point SignWorks
www.12pointsignworks.com

7. Will they work on non-traditional surfaces?
Although the printable wall coverings discussed above are effective for flat, smooth
surfaces, they wouldn’t be the best choice for a brick wall or other textured surface.
There are a number of other adhesive-backed, vinyl-based products that can be similarly
custom printed and/or cut that will work with surfaces that are difficult to cover. There
are custom printable products for floors and ceilings, for windows and skylights,
tabletops, vending machines, and every type of interior surface in between.
Custom mural over brick
Ready to explore the use of custom wall coverings and décor printing?
Call us today at 615-595-6564 for a free design consultation and to discuss
the requirements for your custom wall covering project. We look forward to
working with you!
12-Point SignWorks
www.12pointsignworks.com